MATERIALS THAT GIVE THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
And herein lies the choice, right from the very first approach to a design - to diversify the basic themes inherent to the use of the materials, not only according to their performance characteristics and the patterns or finishes governed by the colours and textures to be used, but above all according to themes more in context with the design itself: monochromatic, stripped-down resin systems or cementitious solutions characterised by soft textures and non-uniform pigmentations?
Indeed, for the two reference projects taken as examples and compared on the following pages, the design choices developed in different ways. Not so much because each project, of undeniable cultural quality and importance, involved surroundings with completely different areas of use - the Blaj Cultural Palace on the one hand and the Museum of the Innocenti on the other – but above all for the different approaches taken when tackling them. In fact, in certain cases, it is possible to maintain the old flooring to exalt the expressive differences between the old structure and the new, re-coated seamless surfaces (one of the advantages of applying resin systems is certainly the fact that the layers applied are only a few millimetres thick), allowing designers to highlight, quite clearly and decisively, the stylistic and materic difference between an existing historic structure and the smooth, simple, clean, sober flooring, albeit absolutely functional in view of its final destination as a space to be used by the community.
Completely different, on the other hand, are those designs which aim to achieve more stylistic continuity within the structure and where the search for just the right material leads, for example, to the use of a self-levelling cementitious formulate. In such cases, the use of cementitious mortar strengthens the historical-artistic features of the original structure (such as in the case of the museum presented on the following pages), turning it into a more orderly, silent and intimate environment where visitors perceive a strong sense of reassurance during their visit.
No longer are there clear, separate margins when proposing and choosing a flooring system: areas with the same final use can have their own identity, thanks to the choice of different materials which, for their very nature, are able to make the context perfectly congruent with the initial design choices.
Once again, Mapei can play an important part in enabling projects of undeniable cultural and artistic quality and significance to become a reality, by proposing the most suitable solutions in terms of durability, functionality, finish and pattern in compliance with the technical and stylistic constraints specified by the client.